VESTAL, N.Y. – Binghamton wrestler Carter Baer has made the cut for the first NCAA coaches' rankings of the 2025-26 season, which were announced Thursday.
 
Baer is ranked No. 19 in the country at 174 lbs. That is a similar placement compared to where he is ranked in the other national polls. The Gouverneur, N.Y., native is ranked No. 16 in the The College Wrestling Report's rankings, No. 19 in the FloWrestling poll and No. 20 in both the InterMat and WresteStat rankings. This week marks the first time this season that Baer is ranked in the top 20 in all four of those polls.
 
The coaches' ranking is decided by a vote of three coaches in each weight class. It is one of multiple criteria that is used by the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee during the at-large selection and seeding process for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The committee also looks at head-to-head competition, quality wins, Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), conference tournament placement, results versus common opponents and win percentage.
 
Baer has won his last 15 matches to bring his overall record to 15-2, including a perfect 9-0 mark in duals. During that stretch, Baer has defeated five nationally-ranked opponents, picked up four technical falls and has been named Wrestler of the Week by the EIWA twice (Nov. 12 and Jan. 21). He also finished first in his group at both the Journeymen Collegiate Classic and the Big Red Invitational.
 
Baer and the Bearcats next compete at EIWA foe Sacred Heart at 5:30 p.m., on Saturday, Feb. 7.
 
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